attention, attentive, attentiveness

Attentive describes a person who is caring, helpful or watchful.

  • Monique’s neighbours were very attentive after her debilitating accident.
  • Attentive teachers know when their students are having problems.

Attentiveness is the noun form.

  • The innkeeper’s attentiveness to his guests’ comfort was much appreciated.

Attention indicates interest, care or concentration.

  • Thank you for your attention to this matter.
  • Listening to the radio while I work interferes with my attention to detail.
  • The medication is affecting Juan’s attention span.

Copyright notice for Writing Tips Plus

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Search by related themes

Want to learn more about a theme discussed on this page? Click on a link below to see all the pages on the Language Portal of Canada that relate to the theme you selected. The search results will be displayed in Language Navigator.